lintern



A. R. LINTERN VEHICLE HEATING SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

AMF/Gf@ @.z//Vf/V Jan. 24, 1956 Filed Aug. 20 1951 Jan. 24, 1956 A. R. LINTERN VEHICLE HEATING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 2O 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ll lll'l."

United States Patent' 'OV VEHICLE HEATING SYSTEM Alfred R. Lintern, Detroit, Mich., assignor to A. R. Lintern, Inc., a corporation. of Michigan Appiicationaugust zo, 1951, serial No. 242,653 z claims; (ci. 2317-123) This invention generally relates to vehicle Ventilating and heating systems and in particular to a combination fresh air and recirculated air system employing the same units with the system being capable of easy integration with an already manufacturedand assembled vehicle such as a large transit bus or a school bus.

Due to the different sizes of passenger buses, which vary from 16 to 60 passengers, it has been heretofore impossible to use the same Ventilating and heating units and systems on the various size buses to secure proper distribution and temperature without employing ducts and various sizes ofmotors, cores, fans, etc. With present day commercial equipment, the bus must be iitted with a systemand units which are special for the size of the bus and the locality in which itisto be put into service as nouniversally adaptable system or units are` available to suit and fulfill the exceedingly diverse requirements.

The various manufacturers of buses have concentrated their development efforts on having their buses perform satisfactorily under any conditions in relation to motors, brakes, bodies, etc. and have been so busy on overcoming the difficulties in this regard that they have practically ignored the Ventilating and heating problem as witness the present day foul air, drafty, and inadequately heated buses in spite of the fact that the heat producing characteristics of the internal combustion engine is such that anadequate amount of air can be heated by the engine cooling medium through suitable transfer units so that an adequate amount of heated air can easily be furnished in conjunction with bus-motion and suitable fans.

' Prior bs manufacturers have side-stepped the ventilating and heating problem for commercial reasons in that the profit on a bus, which is sold anyway, is their main interest and the expense of furnishing special heating and Ventilating equipment would make their bus price-wise non-competitive to rival manufacturers.

It is, therefore, the primary object of the invention to provide universally adaptable units capable of elastic integration into a universally adaptable system for heating and Ventilating any size bus for use in any locality with theAunits and system having air volume and heat intensity controls to enable the driver to readily regulate same for die changing weather conditions of the locality.

An object of the invention Yis to provide ventilating and heating units which will iit into all the various size buses of all the various manufacturers after or during their complete fabrication.

An object of the invention is to provide a unit optionally usable for fresh air or recirculating air heating.

An object of the invention is to"provide standard attaching andintegrating parts for uniting the units into a system.

object" of the invention is to provide universally usable units and parts for all bus manufacturers for use on all sizes of buses.

. An object of the invention is to provide units and at- ICC taching parts which ordinary mechanics can install at the plants of the manufacturers according to supplied;

plansand specifications.

An object of the invention is to provide standard, in-v expensive units and an elastic system capable of mass ing and heating system.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional View of Fig. l taken on the line 2 2 thereof showing a unit in side elevation in conjunction with a bus side wall fresh air intake.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View of Fig. 2 taken on the line 3 3 thereof.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. l showing a front engine school bus.

Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the heater disclosed in Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional View of the front unit of Fig. 4 taken on the line 6 6 thereof.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 6 taken on the line 7 7 thereof; and

Fig. 48 is a cross-sectional View of Fig. 7 taken on the line 8 8 thereof.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the j. several views, the heater units and integrating system disclosed therein to illustrate the invention comprises a bus 10, an outside body wall 11, an inside body wall 12, a bus oor 13, body posts 14 separating and supporting the walls 11 and 12 and defining with the walls 11 and 12 and iioor 13 inclosed ducts or chambers 15, side windows 16, air scooping louvers 17 in the outside wall 11 below the windows 16 at selected points adapted to de liver fresh air to the chambers 15, openings 18 in the inside wall 12 adjacent the floor 13 at selected points 24 to the core of unit 20D which is particularly described` in my co-pending application Serial No. 233,307, filed June 25, -1951, a tube 26 leading from the core of unit,

20D to the core of unit 20C, elbows 25 connecting the tube 26 to the cores of units 20C and 20D, a tube 27.` leading from the core of unit 20C to the core of unit 20B elbows 25 connecting the tube 27 to the cores of units 20C and 20B, a tube 28 leading from the core Vof unit 20B to the core of unit 20A, elbows 25 connecting the tube 28 to the cores of units 20B and 20A, a tube 29 leading from the core of unit 20A to the Vehicle motor,

. an elbow 25 connecting the tube,29 to the core ofunit l I 20A, 'saddles 30A, 30B, and 30C spanning the space bel tween the units 20A, 20B, and 20C andthe inside wallV 12, and, in the instance of units 20B, and 20C,l coveringA the openings' 18 adjacent thereto channeling the aircoinf ing therefrom to the intake side of the units 20B, and," 20C, and in the instance of unit 20A filling the space Paieatedgan. a4, s

waist between the unit 20A and the inside wall 12, inside air receiving apertures 31 in the saddle 30A for permitting air from the inside rear of the bus to enter the unit A, and apron 32 covering the tubes: 2 4, 26, 27, and 2 8 sealing the knocked-out portions ofthe saddles 30 over'vthey tubes 24, 26, 27, and 28, fan* assemblies 33 in the units 20A, B, and C. adjacent the cores 21, a fan assembly 34; in the unit 20D, defroster ducts 35 leadingfrom the unit 20D,and-directional louvers 37 in the units 'I2-0A,"201v3 and 20C discharging air into the interior of the bus 10,

More particularly, saddles 30A, 30B, and 30C differ only in that the saddle 30AY has nowall opening 18ndjacent thereto and is equipped with intake louvers 31 tor recirculating air in they rear of the bus 10 behind the rear wheel housings adjacent the vehicle motor exhaust so that no air contaminated by motor exhaust is introduced into the bus., whereas the saddles 30B and 30C are'irnperforate and enclose openings 18 for directing fresh air 1into the units 20B andl C. The unit 20D difers from the units 20A, 20B, and 20C in that its cowl isy hinged therewith for sealing the intake air portion of the unit 20D. it is to be also noted that the unit 20D in this instance must be located closer to the inside wall 12 thanl the other units 20 due to the location of the drivers seat 40 so that its cowl is sidewise positioned relative to the unit 20D and that the fan assembly 34 is not angularly inclined relative to the inside core whereas the fan assemblies 33. are angularly inclined relative to the floor 13 to lower the unit height so as to permit the location ofv the units 20A, 20B, and 20C beneath the vehicle seats.

ln installing the inventive units and system in a b us, the only bus body modiiication required are easily formable openings in the outside wall 11 beneath the window 1,6 so as to avoid road dirt and exhaust fumes and gases adjacent the pavement over which openings the air scooping louvers 17 are placed and easily formable openingsA 18` in the inside wall 12 adjacent the floor 13 over which the saddles 30 are placed. The usual bus structure is utilized to form the chamber or channel 15. The louver 17 openings and the saddle openings 18 are formed in sets so as to cooperate with one another in introducing fresh air into the bus 10. The units 20A, 20B, and 20C are then positioned adjacent the openings 13 in spaced relation thereto to permit easy heat connections except that no opening is provided at the unit 20A and the unit 20D is positioned with its hinged cowlv over the openings adjacent thereto. The tubes 24, 26, 27, and 28 are then connected to the units 21 via like elbows 25. The saddles 30A, 30B, and 30C are then positioned intermediate the units 20A, 20B, and 20C and the inside wall 12,`and the aprons 3,2 are then positioned over the tubes 24, l26, 27 and 28 which are connected to the vehicle motor cooling system by conventional means.

The ease of installation is facilitated by the standard parts of the units tubes, louvers, saddles, aprons., and elbows and permits the ordinary mechanic to make proper installation.

The elasticity of the system is easily seen ,that additional units 20E, 20F, and 20G or more, shown in dotted lines, Fig. l, maybe installed in the bus as'desre'd.' Ob viously fewer units can be installed on both s idesof the bus under every seat except at the wheelho'uses.V

The unit 20D differs from the units 20A,` 20B, and 20C due to the very different space and functional requirements in the front end of the bus 10. The unit 20D must be much shorter to it in the available space and must also provide air fQt detrasting the airidsliield arid it' is @diable t9 Dravid@ a. door 40 QI Spsqiallidirecting ai.: adiacenti@ dr'iyersfeet A ,firent engined SQttQol. bus, 4.1 installatie@ is, shawn iii Fig. 4 .lith like @its 20A; 270B, and 20o'. sin `1 in stalled Using the identical, parts arid installaties tecthmqie described in Connection with the lars@ transit bus 1Q except as to front unit which has its saddle and defroster take-offformedintegraly therewith as hereinafter more fully described and it is obvious that any type or size bus can be easily equipped with the inventive units and system using as many units as desired based on the size of the bus and the desired amount of optionally heated fresh air desired per passenger per minute.

A suitable heating medium ow control valve is located in the system such as thevvalve, 42 in the unit 20D, Fig. l,` and the valve 51 in the,v unit 50, Figs.. 6 and 7, where it is convenient for driver operation, and, VVfan motor switches, not shown, are also conveniently located to the driver for controlling. thel speedV of the fans,

It is important to note that the elbows 25 are preferably made of'rubber or similar material so as to be flexible and that the elbow has a long arm 43 and a short arm 454 facilitating short or long connections by reversing the position of the arms, such asY seen in the various figures, and, it is to beV noted that no intricateV bending of the tubes is required in employing the. elbows 25. Y i l i The front unit 50, Figs. 4, 6, 7, and 8, especially for front engined buses, comprises a core 51 positioned over an opening 18v connected in series with the other units in the bus via suitable hoses and elbows 25, aheating medium shutoff and throttle valve 52 is located on oue'l side of the core 51 for regulating the flow in the system, an angulated, wall-hugging cowl 53 sealably fitting over theA wall opening 18 and the core 51, a false-'bottom 5 4 in the unit 50 sealably connecting with the lcore 5.1, with the opening 148, and with the cowl 53 so that the'heati'ng medium supply and return tubes are provided with a4 channel for running therebene'ath, a fan 55 located ad-` jacent they core 51 in parallel'relat'ion to theeore 51 and in oblique relationship to the Vcowl 53, a shroud 56 surrounding the fan abutting the cowl 53 on one side57 and located in spaced relationship at the other side S8I so as to provide an air passage between the fan shroud point 58 and the cowl portion 'at 59, al plenum chamber 60 between the fan l55 and the front portion 61 varid the side portion 62 of the, cowl 53, an air defroster stack communicating with the plenum chambery 6,0 v'via 'the passageway between the'point 58 on the fan shroud andl the point 59 on the cowl, a blower 64 at the top of the stack 63, a defroster distribution duct 65 coextmsive with the bottom of the windshield having avent 66.` eo-I extensive with the bottom of the windshield flor distribut-l ing air over the wholewindshield area, directional louvers` 67 in the front 61 and side 62 of the cowl 53, Aand driver foot-heating door 68 in the cowl 53 at a point located on the cowl 59 oppositey the lfan cowl'point 58 with thedoorA 6181 being optionally and adjustably openable and closea e.

The unit 50 does not employ a saddle such as units 20A, 20B, and 210C because' of the space limitation be# tween the wall and drivers feet and the foot controls of the front-engine bus. It will, therefore, be `noted that the tubes and elbows 25 can be connected toithe core before the unit 50 is screwed to the wall as at 69,; after the connections are made, the unit is placed over the weging 1t and. secured to the, inside .wau 1.2.. "this 'manier of connection is"perrnitt'edfby the' arcuate cnfotr'fri tioii of the vehicle body ai this point so vthat 'when th that 15 is pulled inwardly from 'the wall slack isi'furnished in the tubes; whereas when the unit 50y is'lially'placed against the wait the slack is eliminated.

Air is introduced` to the unit 50 via' the air scooping louvers 17, the channel 15 and` the opening `18v whereby the. fresh ai! from Quaid@- Of fhe, bis is'intr'bduced tlfth'e interior et bus the core 51 providiugioptiohallly heating the air. The-fan 55 augments the flw-'flli e@ liresi Sallie Under Pressure into the Plenum Chatl ber 60 whereby the air is 'release'ld Yvia the directional vents 67 from the left hand side of the. fan as 'seen in Fig. 7 with the right hand side of the fan being blocked interior.

by the imperforate portion 70 of the cowl 53 adjacent the driver foot-heating door 68 and the defroster air passageway; in the event the driver wishes heating adjacent his feet he opens the door 68 to the desired position. In the event a foggy windshield condition exists, the driver runs the lblower 64 which drags heated fresh air from the right side of the fan as seen in Fig. 7, exclusively if the door 68 is closed, and mixed with interior bus air if the door 68 is open; in this way the driver regulates the temperature of the air in the defroster system. Under normal conditions, in the embodiment including Figure 7, it can be seen that the driver foot door 68 can be employed exclusively, if desired, to regulate the amount of heated fresh air or recirculated air to the defroster system as the directional vents or louvers 67 normally adequately heat the driver area.

It is important to note that the elbows 25 facilitate the easy integration of the units into a system in conjunction with the saddles 30 so that an ordinary mechanic can easily integrate any number of heating units into a bus In this connection the louver assembly 17, saddles 30, and elbows 25 facilitate the easy installation which is elastic and adjustable to any weather conditions.

In operation, the cooling medium of the vehicle engine is circulated through the cores via the tubes ofthe system and, the motor heating the water of the system supplies heat in excess of requirements due to the great heat loss characteristics of the internal combustion engine used to power the bus. Air is introduced into the bus interior by the air scooping louvers 17 via the chambers 15, openings 18, saddles 30 and unit directional louvers 37 lowing through the cores 21 and augmented by the fan assemblies 33 when the bus is in motion and delivered entirely by the fan assemblies 33 when the bus is standing, with the unit 20A in the rear of the bus recirculating the surrounding air so as to avoid introducing motor exhaust contamination.

The introduction of fresh air, optionally heated, into the bus in large volume raises the pressure of the interior of the vehicle above the atmospheric pressure outside the vehicle so that all ow of air in bus cracks, openings fissures, and crevices if from a direction from the inside of the vehicle to the outside of the vehicle thereby eliminating inward ow of air which eliminates drafts in the bus.

The general proportions in relationship in the units, saddles, elbows, tubing and louvers indicated in the drawings and described herein are desirable and essential to the proper installation and functioning of the inventive units and system and although the invention has been disclosed and described as a bus Ventilating and heating system, it may obviously be used in other ve hicles such as passenger cars, trucks, and railway coaches.

Although the inventive system has been disclosed and described in conjunction with particular units, it is obvious that many changes may be made in the size, shape,

detail and arrangements of the elements of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

j 1. In a vehicle fresh-air Ventilating and heating system a rearmost unit located to the rear of the rear wheel houses of the vehicle and spaced from a blank inside wall of the vehicle, a foremost unit located adjacent the driver, an integral cover on said foremost unit sealably connecting the foremost unit to the side wall, a false bottom in said foremost unit sealably connected to the side wall, intermediate units located on the oor of the vehicle and in spaced relation to the inside wall, heating medium supply and return Ytubes connecting all said units in series with the cooling system of the vehicle engine and connected to said rearmost unit and intermediate unit in the space between said units and the inside wall of the vehicle and to said foremost unit via the space provided by said false bottom, auxiliary saddles sealably connecting the intake side of said units with the inside wall of the vehicle and providing a cover extending from said units over said tubes, said rearmost unit saddle having apertures for receiving air to permit the air in the rear of the vehicle to enter the intake side of said rearmost unit, the inside wall of the bus having apertures within the saddies of said foremost and intermediate units, said apertures communicating with a space between the inside and outside walls of the vehicle between the vehicle body posts, air scooping louvers in the vehicle outside wall preferably adjacent the vehicle side windows and correspondingly located relative to the openings in the Vehicle inside Wall so that air entering said louvers travels to the intake side of said foremost and intermediate units via the space between the vehicle walls and posts, the openings in the inside wall and said saddles being disposed so that, when the vehicle is in motion, air under pressure is supplied to said foremost and intermediate units, said units being equipped with directional louvers on their exhaust sides for venting air to the vehicle interior from said units.

2. In a system as set forth in claim l, fan assemblies in said units adapted to augment the supply of air to the vehicle interior and speed selective switches controlling said fans and a heating medium flow control valve in said system.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,637,341 Holan Aug. 2, 1927 1,720,858 Rombauer July 16, 1929 1,939,916 Otto Dec. 19, 1933 2,130,686 Kateley Sept. 20, 1938 2,179,873 Anderson Nov. 14, 1939 2,201,916 Parsons May 2l, 1940 2,286,749 McElgin June 16, 1942 2,476,295 Hans July 19, 1949 2,586,689 Mieras Feb. 19, 1952 

